Director Balachandra Menon who has an enviable list of movies to his credit, was hoping to reprise his winning ways with 'Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum', which is comeback movie after seven years. Though the movie tries to show the behind-the-scenes working of Malayalam film industry, it does not have a credible way of presentation.
There is attempt at satire here, to make cine backstage corruption look disgustingly funny, but even that does not work well. Take for example the Film Awards. The underplay is picture, though in a lukewarm manner.
The story revolves around a Kerala State Development corporation Director, who quits to direct a film, as he is tired of the kind of second hand dealings there. His efforts in directing a movie forms the rest of the plot.
Balachandra Menon seems to have also put in his life's experiences into the movie. There are moments of warmth in it. But the script abound with cliches, which is its undoing. Cliched movies have worked in Mollywood in the past. But with the novel modes and narrations and the new perceptions in the way a story is conceived, this movie falls short somehow.
'Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum' is a mediocore movie and its cliches are what does in. Sure, Balachandra Menon can direct, but maybe not like this. In another time, this movie might have done well. But the times have changed.
Rating - 1.5/5
